Pre-Conference Workshops - May 24

Vincentia Schroeter, PhD

You can deepen your connection to your clients by exploring somatic countertransference and Polyvagal Theory. Increase your compassion for difficult clients by understanding the role the nervous system plays in their characterological defenses. Participate in dyadic and group exercises to gain tools to better manage your somatic countertransference triggers.

Vincentia Schroeter, PhD, CBT, MFT is on the international faculty (1999) of the IIBA and the co-author of Bend Into Shape, a Bioenergetic techniques manual. She is the chief editor of the IIBA journal (2008-2018) and enjoys finding ways to support others on their journey to becoming compassionate and competent Bioenergetic therapists.Vincentiaschroeterphd.com

Danita Hall and Paola Alessio

Building on principles that reflect modern bioenergetic practice, this pre-conference workshop will offer an in depth exploration of the elements that constitute bioenergetic movement and exercise groups, and specifically focus on the development of the movement group leadership skills. The purpose of the bioenergetic movement group is to provide an opportunity for members to make contact with self via an exploration of the physical sensations of the body and how this relates to emotional experience. The ability to assess the members’ experiences and design the most beneficial sequence of exercises involves a reciprocal process based in the leader’s awareness of sensitive and complex connections to body energy and emotional aliveness within the participants.This will be a hands-on full day workshop where the elements that constitute bioenergetic movement will be explored in depth as we focus on the skills to initiate, carry through, and process bioenergetic movement group experiences.

Danita Hall, LCSW, CBT, is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice in New York City. She is a faculty member of the IIBA, New York Society for Bioenergetic Analysis, and China teaching team, and currently serves on the IIBA faculty committee. Paola Alessio, LCSW, CBT, is a psychologist and a licensed clinical social worker in private practice in Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York. She is a faculty assistant of the New York Society for Bioenergetic Analysis since 2014 and has been leading Bioenergetic movement groups since 2006.